Officials share tips to make shopping safe

Published: Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at 06:11 PM.

Anastasia Paskiewicz, marketing director for Jacksonville Mall, said the shopping center sees more shoppers during the holiday season.

“Thanksgiving is the official kickoff for many people for holiday shopping. This is the one time of year that we all wait for ... We all wait for it and prepare for it,” she said. “There’s just more folks out and about this time of year.”

While she couldn’t divulge any security plans “just for the nature of keeping them secure,” Paskiewicz said the mall recently held a refresher course with security staff in an effort to keep their eyes and ears open and to encourage them to assist shoppers whenever they can, even if it means helping shoppers find their car.

If shoppers need assistance from security while at the mall, Paskiewicz said that there is always security staff on the mall floor and each store is able to call security on a shopper’s behalf.

Amanda Hickey is the government reporter at The Daily News. She can be reached at amanda.hickey@jdnews.com.

The Jacksonville Department of Public Safety offers the following tips for shopping safely:

Stay alert to your surroundings, shop with a friend and shop before dark if possible

Park in a well-lit area and lock packages in the trunk of your vehicle out of sight

Don’t carry excess credit cards

Be extra careful with purses and wallets

Children should go to a store clerk or security to ask for help if separated, and never go to a parking lot alone.

Notify store security if you see suspicious activity.

If you are a victim of a crime, report it to police.

Source: City of Jacksonville

As area shoppers and stores prepare for Black Friday, area law enforcement is gearing up to keep the shopping safe.

Chief Mike Yaniero, director of the Department of Public Safety, advises shoppers to be aware of their surroundings, lock vehicles and keep valuables out of sight.

There are also a few things shoppers can do to keep themselves safe, according to JPD, including parking in well-lit areas, shopping in groups, putting packages in trunks, reporting suspicious people and activities immediately, carrying bags or purses in your hands instead of on the shoulder, not leaving purses in shopping carts and not flashing money around while buying gifts.

Onslow County Sheriff Ed Brown also suggests not carrying more packages than you can safely handle.

“This can obstruct your view causing you to fall or walk into the path of traffic,” he said.

According to Brown, the Christmas holiday season is the busiest of the year with folks rushing to and from shopping, cooking, decorating and more.

“Everyone is caught up in the joyous spirit of the season and thus they ignore dangers and criminals that become more prevalent during this time,” he said via a news release.

“Those of you who have a remote with an alarm should release it if someone were to attack you. Activate the alarm that starts your vehicle’s horn to blow,” he said.

And if you are attacked, Brown said “never resist or attempt to challenge an attacker.”

“Christmas can still be happy and joyous without the gifts, but Christmas will never be merry without you if you are injured,” he said.

The Jacksonville Police Holiday Task Force, which is made up of officers who patrol shopping areas, is returning for its 14th year, according to information from the Jacksonville Department of Public Safety. The officers will be on foot patrol, bike patrol and in patrol cars through Dec. 31.

There will also be plain-clothes officers keeping an eye out for shoplifters.

“The high visibility of the police presence concentrated in and around our major shopping areas is one of the best tactics we have to deter criminal activity. It takes the help of concerned citizens and the cooperation of merchants to make the task force successful,” Capt. Ashley Weaver, who leads the task force, said via press release.

According to JPD, the officers volunteer to staff the shifts during their off-duty hours.

Anastasia Paskiewicz, marketing director for Jacksonville Mall, said the shopping center sees more shoppers during the holiday season.

“Thanksgiving is the official kickoff for many people for holiday shopping. This is the one time of year that we all wait for ... We all wait for it and prepare for it,” she said. “There’s just more folks out and about this time of year.”

While she couldn’t divulge any security plans “just for the nature of keeping them secure,” Paskiewicz said the mall recently held a refresher course with security staff in an effort to keep their eyes and ears open and to encourage them to assist shoppers whenever they can, even if it means helping shoppers find their car.

If shoppers need assistance from security while at the mall, Paskiewicz said that there is always security staff on the mall floor and each store is able to call security on a shopper’s behalf.

Amanda Hickey is the government reporter at The Daily News. She can be reached at amanda.hickey@jdnews.com.